THE island's first training and development conference is set for the end of this month at the Fairmont Hamilton Princess Hotel.

Host of the event is ASTD Global Network Bermuda, a newly-established, non-profit organisation aimed at assisting people involved in employee training, workplace learning and workforce development.

"Developing the skills of Bermuda's workforce is a priority for the island and for the business community," said conference co-chair Carleen Place. "Our conference is a step towards making this priority a reality. This learning and networking event will provide business people in Bermuda with ready access to knowledgeable resources for employee training and development."

Entitled 'How to be an Island of Excellence in an Ocean of Mediocrity', the conference's theme was inspired by its keynote speaker, Nancy Friedman. A customer service expert, Ms Friedman shares her knowledge with organisations worldwide through her business, Telephone Doctor.

Local and overseas specialists will offer their insight in various areas. Attendees may choose between two half-day or four 90-minute sessions.

Tom Gallagher of IIP Advisor will speak on Investors in People; Edmina Bradshaw of the ACE Group will discuss the Learning Organisation; Sue Johnston of It's Understood is to talk about Face-to-Face Communication for Managers, and Laura Boyd-Brown of Sapient Consulting will speak on Empotional Intelligence.

Half-day sessions are 'IT' Happens - Change Resiliency, a presentation made by Julie Smith of LifePath/CLG, and Trust - Strengthening the Foundation, by Jane Whitmore of DDI.

ASTD is the world's largest community of training, learning and performance improving professionals. Its membership includes more than 70,000 human resource development and training professionals in more than 100 countries.

The two-day conference runs between October 31 and November 1. Online registration is available online, via www.astdbermuda.com, or by calling Pamela Simons at 236-5647. Registration is $250 for ASTD/BTDA members; $350 for non-members. Those who register and pay by Wednesday, October 8 will receive a discount of $50.

Extra tickets for Ms Friedman's lecture - to be held on October 31, from noon until 1.30 p.m. - are available at a cost of $50 and may be booked via telephone, 299-6608.